Patentable/Patents/US-10637573
US-10637573

Deploying line-of-sight communication networks

PublishedApril 28, 2020
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

Various of the disclosed embodiments relate to line-of-sight (LOS), e.g., optical, based networks. Systems and methods for determining where to place and how to configure nodes in an optically connected network across a geographic region are provided. Various factors concerning the region may be collected, including, e.g.,: building locations and height, building types, population densities, backbone connection locations, recurring weather factors, geographic elevation, etc. The algorithm may iteratively place nodes based upon the accessible range of a preceding contemplated node position.

Patent Claims
20 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.

1

1. A computer-implemented method for generating network node placements, comprising: receiving one or more constraints for a target region; selecting at least one network position on at least one network backbone; determining multiple priority directions based on real-world information, the at least one network position, and a Line-Of-Sight (LOS) range based on the one or more constraints; generating iteratively a set of node positions based on the multiple priority directions such that a subsequent node placement is generated based upon an accessible range of a preceding contemplated node position; and after determining that the multiple priority directions have achieved a threshold limit, determining a set of paths comprising the set of node positions, the set of paths indicating network node placements.

2

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one network position includes a plurality of positions on the network backbone.

3

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , wherein each network position in the plurality of positions are spaced apart at regular intervals.

4

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the threshold limit is based on the one or more constraints or other network positions on the at least one network backbone.

5

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more constraints for the target region include at least one of: a maximum number of nodes available, a desired coverage of the target region, uncovered areas of the target region, a prioritization of certain communities or areas, cost, difficulty in node installation, or population information.

6

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein each path in the set of paths is associated with a metric value, further comprising: selecting, in the set of paths, a path with a preferred metric value.

7

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , wherein the preferred metric value is the highest metric value.

8

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , wherein the preferred metric value is the lowest metric value.

9

9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions configured to cause a computer system to perform a method comprising: receiving one or more constraints for a target region; selecting at least one network position on at least one network backbone; determining multiple priority directions based upon real-world information, the at least one network position, and a Line-Of-Sight (LOS) range based on the one or more constraints; generating iteratively a set of node positions based on the multiple priority directions such that a subsequent node placement is generated based upon an accessible range of a preceding contemplated node position; and after determining that the multiple priority directions have achieved a threshold limit, determining a set of paths comprising the set of node positions, the set of paths indicating network node placements.

10

10. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the at least one network position includes a plurality of positions on the network backbone.

11

11. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 10 , wherein each network position in the plurality of positions are spaced apart at regular intervals.

12

12. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the threshold limit is based on the one or more constraints or other positions on the at least one network backbone.

13

13. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the one or more constraints for the target region include at least one of: a maximum number of nodes available, a desired coverage of the target region, uncovered areas of the target region, a prioritization of certain communities or areas, cost, difficulty in node installation, or population information.

14

14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein each path in the set of paths is associated with a metric value, further comprising: selecting, in the set of paths, a path with a preferred metric value.

15

15. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the preferred metric value is the highest metric value.

16

16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the preferred metric value is the lowest metric value.

17

17. A computer system comprising: at least one processor; at least one memory comprising instructions configured to cause the at least one processor to perform a method comprising: receiving one or more constraints for a target region; selecting at least one network position on at least one network backbone; determining multiple priority directions based on real-world information, the at least one network position, and a Line-Of-Sight (LOS) range based on the one or more constraints; generating iteratively a set of node positions based on the multiple priority directions such that a subsequent node placement is generated based upon an accessible range of a preceding contemplated node position; and after determining that multiple priority directions have achieved a threshold limit, determining a set of paths comprising the set of node positions, the set of paths indicating network node placements.

18

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the one or more constraints for the target region include at least one of: a maximum number of nodes available, a desired coverage of the target region, uncovered areas of the target region, a prioritization of certain communities or areas, cost, difficulty in node installation, or population information.

19

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein each path in the set of paths is associated with a metric value, further comprising: selecting, in the set of paths, a path with a preferred metric value.

20

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the preferred metric value is the highest metric value.

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

September 22, 2017

Publication Date

April 28, 2020

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Cite as: Patentable. “Deploying line-of-sight communication networks” (US-10637573). https://patentable.app/patents/US-10637573

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